Director of Park Services
Behind the scenes with Bob Cartwright
What do you do exactly?
My job is mainly about getting things done - perhaps Director of Operations is a better job title. My directorate is effectively a £3 million, 100 staff-strong business unit. I manage this through a PA and three talented and extremely capable Heads of Service. There's more information on the Park Services page. I also have organisation-wide responsibility for climate change management and for health, safety and welfare.
What's your background?
I’m a town and regional planner by training but my love of the countryside goes back to my scouting days. My smartest move was to write my university thesis on ‘National Parks and Access to the Countryside’, which proved the gateway to a fantastic career.
In 2006 I gained a Masters degree in Business Administration, which broadened my understanding and appreciation of the interrelationship between strategic thinking, operational and financial management, marketing and leadership.
What's been your greatest achievement so far?
Having had the privilege of appointing so many capable staff to positions with the Authority where they can and do make a real difference to the quality of the National Park and people’s enjoyment.
What are the best parts of the job?
Seeing the public enjoy the National Park or learn something about this wonderful place because of something the Authority has done.
One example is the Osprey Project. With partners in the RSPB and Forestry Commission we encouraged the ospreys to nest again at Bassenthwaite Lake after an absence of 150 years. My staff built nesting platforms, monitored the birds, encouraged voluntary support, helped establish webcams, built new paths and viewing areas.
More recently we launched an electric bike service from our boating centre at Coniston. There's also a wheelchair-accessible boat to allow people to get out on the lake. To remember the look on people’s faces at those events is a very special feeling.
What are the worst parts of the job?
Spending too much time in meetings about how to cut costs when there is so much we could do to improve the Lake District if we had more money.
What advice would you give to someone who would like to do this kind of job?
Be ambitious but be good at the job you’re doing now. Like people. Think ahead. Enjoy change.